SPORTS PSYCHOLOGY INTERVENTIONS TO REDUCE PERFORMANCE ANXIETY IN YOUNG ATHLETES

Abstract

Performance anxiety, especially prevalent among young athletes, has a significant impact on sports participation and individual well-being. This paper examines the role of sports psychology interventions in managing and reducing performance anxiety, including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), mindfulness techniques, visualization, and biofeedback. Young athletes face multiple pressures, from competition to parental expectations, making them susceptible to performance-related stress that, if unaddressed, can lead to burnout and withdrawal from sports.